Produced: 1940

Description The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: "To make a nation of better drivers...that is the purpose of the Ford Good Drivers League. Inaugurated at Dearborn, Michigan, on April 22, 1940, it teaches driving skill and motoring courtesy to boys of high school age who are now forming their driving habits. Edsel Ford, sponsor and president of the League, personally enrolled the first members and announced plans embracing...free membership to all boys from 14 to 18 years who are legally authorized to drive cars in their home states, a 64-page book, ‘How To Become A Skilled Driver,’ a membership card, and button for every member. A $30,000 prize contest to determine the Champion Driver of each State and the Champion of the United States. Here are brief glimpses of the League’s first-year activities in which some 60,000 boys participated.” “Dearborn, April 22.” Edsel Ford and boy posing and looking at papers. “Henry Ford was on hand for the ceremonies.” Henry and Edsel Ford posing. “First members look over League’s instruction kit.” Boys looking through booklet. “New York, August 26. Forty-Eight State Champions parade to the National Contest.” Cars moving over bridge - entering Fairgrounds. “First came the psycho-physical reaction tests.” Boys taking different tests. “Then the maneuver tests.” Boys driving car through upright posts. “If that looks hard, watch this.” Driver backing through posts. “Stopping on the proverbial dime.” Driver testing brake reaction in car. “Close is not enough.” Men measuring stopping distance. “Try this yourself.” Boy driving car onto planks. “Shopper’s special! Parallel parking --” Driver parking between posts. “-- and garage parking.” Driver backing between two parallel walls. “Emergency stop! Watch puffs of smoke as detonator fires to record driver’s reaction time.” Braking test. “Tests over, boys gather at championship banquet for awards.” Man speaking at podium, Edsel Ford sitting on stage. “Principal speaker -- Captain E.V. Rickenbacker.” Eddie Rickenbacker speaking. “Toastmaster, Linton Wells, world traveler and famed radio commentator.” Linton Wells speaking. “League president Edsel Ford, ‘The League will be enlarged in ’41. Girls as well as boys will be eligible.’” Edsel Ford speaking. “Mr. Ford presents Scholarship Awards.” Boys walking on stage, receiving awards from Ford. “Gene Kennard, of Evansville, Indiana, Champion High-School Age Driver in the United States.” Ford presenting trophy to Gene Kennard - Kennard posing for photographers. “To Gene a $5,000 university scholarship and trophy.” Ford and Kennard posing on stage. “Close on the champion’s heels runner-up, Jimmie Hymer, of Phoenix, Arizona. Winner of $2,000 scholarship.” Jimmie Hymer speaking on stage. “The leaders and the president. Mutual congratulations and good driving all.” Group posing. “The End.” [1940]

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/93626

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